Zoldan Produces Fireworks With Horses and Pyrotechnics

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Phantom Fireworks President Bruce J. Zoldan, a member of horse racing's Team Valor, has already seen plenty of fireworks this season when Team Valor's Animal Kingdom won the roses at the Kentucky Derby in May, and that was long before Mr. Zoldan's Phantom Fireworks, the nation's largest chain of retail consumer fireworks showrooms, hit the peak of the fireworks selling season this week.

Mr. Zoldan, a Team Valor member since 2000, saw his first fireworks of the season when Animal Kingdom came from behind to post a long-shot win at the Kentucky Derby and almost take the Preakness, where he finished second.  Now, with consumer fireworks sales ramping up to full tilt this week, Mr. Zoldan will see plenty more fireworks, the kind that all Americans love to enjoy this time of year.

"This has been the most exciting beginning to a fireworks season I have experienced in my more than 40 years in the business," said Mr. Zoldan at his Youngstown, Ohio Phantom Fireworks corporate office.  "The excitement started with Animal Kingdom and is continuing with unexpectedly strong fireworks sales."

"I generally start to get excited about fireworks each May when my annual trip to the Kentucky Derby marks my last bit of relaxation and fun before the frenzy of our fireworks selling season hits like a ton of bricks," Mr. Zoldan remarked.  "This year was obviously very special with Animal Kingdom."

When questioned about the reasons behind Phantom's phenomenal success in the consumer fireworks marketplace, Mr. Zoldan was quick to point out that: "Certainly we have great performing products and the best customer service at our Phantom showrooms, but the emphasis on fireworks safety and the dramatically improving safety record of consumer fireworks is what we are most proud of at Phantom."

Mr. Zoldan has been attending Kentucky Derby races for some 25 years, but it was only when he became acquainted with Barry Irwin, managing partner of Team Valor, that Mr. Zoldan began to invest with Mr. Irwin in thoroughbred racing horses.  "Barry has forgotten more about thoroughbreds than most people will ever know," said Mr. Zoldan.  "It is an honor to be associated with Barry, and it is an absolute joy to watch him work."

Mr. Zoldan's attention will now be directed to the long sales days through the July 4th holiday when the Phantom Fireworks showrooms have their biggest sales days of the year.  Mr. Zoldan, a former board chair of both the American Pyrotechnics Association and the Youngstown (OH) Better Business Bureau, is generally credited as one of the leaders in the fireworks industry responsible for increased pro-fireworks legislation across the country.

Phantom Fireworks operates permanent showrooms and temporary sales venues in some 30 states and Puerto Rico, as well as selling at wholesale and to chain stores.

Phantom Fireworks: Lighting up America's backyards from coast to coast!

SOURCE Phantom Fireworks